Eastern Europe Adventure

Experience Russia's two fascinating and contrasting capitals. Delve into the country's turbulent political past with visits to the Kremlin and the Red Square in Moscow and admire the canals of elegant St Petersburg. Discover Eastern Europe's capital cities which are experiencing new freedom after years of being concealed behind the ‘Iron Curtain' of Soviet rule. Venture into the Middle East to the former imperial capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

What you need to know

We will try to run your tour as close to the itinerary as conditions will allow. On very rare occasions, local events may affect the way your itinerary operates. We ask for your flexibility and understanding in these situations.

Europe has an extensive public transport system that we make full use of on this tour. You will be responsible for carrying your luggage on and off trains and buses so pack light.

This tour visits the High Tatras mountains. To enjoy some of the optional hiking trails, you will need a basic level of fitness. Remember to pack some sturdy shoes for walking in.

The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. You will meet your Tucan Travel rep at 18.00 for the pre-departure meeting. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre-tour accommodation.

For those who do not want to travel into Turkey, you have the option to finish in Sofia instead. Please speak to your Adventure Specialist for more details.

This tour includes a compulsory Local Payment that needs to be paid to the Tour Leader on Day 1 of your tour. For more information on our Local Payments please click here.

Itinerary

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Day 1 to 2 - Arrive Moscow

Please be aware that your group will meet for a Pre Departure Meeting at 6:00pm on day one. This meeting will be held at your hotel. Please kindly meet in the reception area of the Izmailovo 'Gamma' Hotel by 6:00pm. If you are unable to attend this meeting for any reason then please contact your Tour Leader via the hotel reception.

Golden onion domes and towering skyscrapers, cosy cafes and hushed churches, Russia's capital city is beautiful, atmospheric and overflowing with history. There is plenty to see and do here, including numerous cathedrals, museums, art galleries, palaces, the State History Museum and the iconic St Basil's Cathedral, towers and monuments. Moscow's Red Square (Krasnaja Ploshad) is the main centre of Moscow and was a market place during the fifteenth century. The square acquired its present name in the seventeenth century. The red part of its name does not refer to Communism or to the colour of the stone (which is actually grey) but derives from the old Russian word 'krasniy' meaning beautiful. During the Soviet regime the square was known for its May Day parades and is the site of Lenin's Mausoleum.

Just a few minutes' walk away from Izmailovsky Park Metro, the lively and bustling Izmailovsky Souvenir Market is an absolute must-see. The entire market is surrounded by a mock wooden fortress which is prettily decorated with statues from Russian legends. Browse around the seemingly endless stands, shopping for wooden matryoshka dolls, chess sets, amber jewellery and Soviet memorabilia such as authentic army belts and gas masks, or if you're looking for less kitsch and more art, you could aim for the traditional Russian handicrafts and original paintings. Don't forget to haggle! A useful word to know is'skolka' or'how much?'.

More than a people-moving system, Moscow's metro system is a network of beautifully and artistically decorated stations. Why not take a self-guided tour of the system and discover Moscow's original underground art scene. (Please note you will need to pay for your own metro tickets).

We will spend our days in Moscow visiting some of the great historical sites of the city. The Kremlin is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a main focus of Russia's political and historical heritage since the 13th century, housing both royalty and religious figures. The Kremlin wall contains a mass grave of Bolsheviks who perished during the battle for Moscow in 1917, together with the ashes of a number of well-known Russians, including writer Maxim Gorky and Yuriy Gagarin, the first Russian man to visit space.

It is said that soon after January 21, 1924, the day that Vladimir Lenin died, the Soviet government received more than 10,000 telegrams from all over Russia, which asked the government to preserve his body somehow for future generations. Lenin's tomb, and final resting place, was then promptly set about being designed and a wooden tomb was constructed within 6 days of his death. A larger mausoleum was constructed later that year and stands today in the centre of the city in the prominent Red Square.

Accommodation

Meals

Day 3 to 3 - Moscow & Overnight train to Veliky Novgorod

We have the whole day to spend in Moscow enjoying some last minute sightseeing before we next head to Veliky Novgorod by overnight train - it's a good idea to buy some snacks before we board!

Accommodation

1 night(s) on overnight sleeper trains

Meals

1 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Day 4 to 4 - Veliky Novgorod

One of the oldest cities in Russia, Veliky Novgorod is steeped in history. It was one of the first hubs of religious, political and commercial activities in Russia and it is here where we find St Sophia's Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Russia. Admire the five domed architecture that dominates the Kremlin in Novgorod, and visit the exhibition of the ancient bells that used to ring in St Sophia's bell tower. Previously, the bells were heard from a 50 mile radius and had a distinct melody in memory of the composer Sergey Rakhaminoff, born in Novgorod. The bells were damaged during World War II, so unfortunately they now are grounded, however you can still enjoy panoramic views of Veliky Novgorod from the bell tower itself.

Included Excursions

Optional Excursions

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Volkhov or similar

Meals

1 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Day 5 to 6 - St Petersburg

The cosmopolitan city of St Petersburg is known as the'Venice of the north' because of its rivers and canals which are fascinating and easy to explore by boat. There are many sights to see in this former capital including the Winter Palace, the famous Church of the Spilt Blood and the Hermitage museums.

We will take an orientation walk around the key sights of the city, include a visit to the Hermitage Museum (with a local guide) to explore the extensive art collection there, and then you will be free to explore this great city at your leisure.

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Cameo or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Day 7 to 8 - Tallinn

Our next stop is Tallinn, Estonia's capital. Famous for its enchanting historic centre, the city is a popular holiday destination on the Gulf of Finland. Roam the cobbled streets and explore scenic ruins or climb the hill of Toompea, which is filled with medieval buildings, 14th century churches, turrets, spires and enticing alleyways.

Tallinn also offers alluring boutique shopping similar to that found in Swiss cities. The city is full of artists and artisans so you may also find wonderfully made glass, weaving and pottery here. The cafe scene is thriving and you can find everything from sunlit street cafes to Art Deco style bakeries. Within the walls of the Old Town there are lots of excellent restaurants to enjoy and a thriving nightlife, with clubs open until the wee hours. Estonians are true beer lovers so you might like to try an authentic local brew.

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Economy Hotel or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Day 9 to 10 - Riga

Riga is more than 800 years old and its clever blend of medieval centre and modern city infrastructure will enchant you. The UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town has its own particular charm, while the city is also famous for its fascinating Art Nouveau architectural heritage which you can discover as you wander the streets of this 'Paris of the East'. A must-do is a visit to Riga's most famous Gothic church, St Peter's, thought to be about 800 years old. Its famous spire has been rebuilt three times in the same form since 1667, with its latest rebuild completed in 1973. Climb the spire and enjoy spectacular views over the city.

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Irina or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Day 11 to 12 - Vilnius

The capital of Lithuania, Vilnius boasts an attractive baroque Old Town that is the largest in Eastern Europe and is praised as the 'New Prague'. Located on the edge of the Neris River, with its pine covered hills, friendly people, and blend of old and new, this is a picturesque city well worth exploring. You will have time to explore the main sights of the city including Gediminas Castle on the top of Gediminas Hill and Cathedral Square at the base of the hill, which is dominated by Vilnius Cathedral and its 57 metre-tall belfry.

While you're exploring the square between the cathedral and the tower you should hunt for the secret stebuklas (miracle) tile. The tile marks the southern end of the 2 million person, 650 kilometre long human chain between Tallinn and Vilnius, which was formed in protest against Soviet occupation in 1989. Local legend has it that if you find the pretty mosaic-covered tile you should stand on it and turn around three times clockwise while making a wish, which shall then be granted.

Included Excursions

Entry & Guided tour of the KGB Museum

Optional Excursions

Trakai Castle - 10 EUR • Grutas Park - 6.5 EUR • Walking Tour – Free

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Panorama or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Day 13 to 14 - Warsaw

Warsaw, Poland's capital, has been revitalised as a tourist destination. The city was almost entirely destroyed in World War II but a lot of effort has gone into its rebuilding. Since the fall of communism many old buildings have given way to modern skyscrapers, the dilapidated old town has been brightened up, and entertainment and services transformed to match that of other western capitals.

Home to various palaces, castles and citadels, Warsaw is noted for the Soviet-era Palace of Culture and Science, as well as the marketplace at the 10th Anniversary Stadium, a converted festival site where you can buy all sorts of interesting items. Also recommended is a visit to the Old Town, which was rebuilt between 1949 and 1963 after being destroyed in World War II in the Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque styles of architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries. You can visit the Historical Museum of Warsaw and Royal Castle at nearby Old Town Square.

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at HIT Hotel or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Day 15 to 16 - Kraków

Poland's more famous and cultural city is Kraków, which has managed to preserve centuries of amazing architecture and artistic traditions as most of the historic buildings and monuments emerged unscathed from World War II. Kraków was the royal capital for 500 years so a must-see is the royal Wawel Castle, a beautiful renaissance palace which now houses a museum. During the evening the cosmopolitan city offers a wild nightlife, with plenty of restaurants, music clubs and bars to explore.

Kraków is our base to visit the UNESCO listed Auschwitz-Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp, a sobering tribute to the people that perished there during the Holocaust. Situated close to the Polish town of O?wi?cim, the camp was originally designed for Polish political prisoners but became the most notorious camp of World War II because an estimated 1.6 million people of 27 nationalities, including 1.1 million Jews, 150,000 Poles and 23,000 Roma were killed by the Nazis.

Optional Excursions

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Regent Hotel or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Day 17 to 17 - High Tatras Mountains

The High Tatras constitutes of a large mountain range which forms a natural border between Slovakia and Poland and is the highest mountain range of the Carpathians. The tallest mountain is Gerlach at 2,655 metres, located in Slovakia just north of Poprad.

After making our way to Starý Smokovec (Nový Smokovec) we have time to relax and unwind. For the energetic there is an opportunity to go to the nearby mountains for some hiking. There are various paths ranging from gentle to highly demanding, winding among spectacular peaks and rock walls. Alternatively you can admire some of the beautiful natural sites of the region, such as the glacial lake of Strebske Pleso.

Accommodation

Meals

Day 18 to 18 - Overnight train to Prague

After getting our fill of the crisp mountain air we board an overnight train to Prague.

Accommodation

1 night(s) on overnight sleeper trains

Meals

1 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Day 19 to 20 - Prague

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and you will have plenty of free time to visit the stunning City of 1,000 Spires, including the bustling Old Town Square where you can find a beautiful astronomical clock, the enchanting Charles Bridge where you can watch artists and buskers at work and Wenceslas Square. There is also time to wander the lofty heights of Hradčany Castle and St Vitus Cathedral for magical views over the city.

Prague is a town that loves to party so you may also want to experience the nightlife as there are many great bars and restaurants and plenty of pulsating night clubs to enjoy. Czechs have been brewing beer since the 9th century and invented the world's first Pilsner, so Prague offers a great opportunity to sample some of the world's finest beers.

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel William or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Day 21 to 22 - Vienna

Welcome to Austria! Birthplace of some of the greatest classical musical compositions, Vienna charms with its cultural history and opulent beauty. Known as the 'city of music' many composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss were born or worked here and you can learn all about their works in places such as Haus der Musik and Mozarthaus, Mozart's main apartment in Vienna which holds an insight into his celebrated life.

Perhaps you would like to catch a jaw-dropping orchestra performance at the Vienna Philharmonic, or watch a ballet or opera performance at the Wiener Staatsoper? You may also choose to visit the Schloss Schönbrunn, the palace of the Habsburg family, and discover the Baroque grandeur of the Austrian dynasty. Once you have delighted in the culture and beauty of Vienna, there are a host of a lively restaurants, cafes and bars to soak up as you watch the world go by in this vibrant city.

Accommodation

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Day 23 to 24 - Budapest

Budapest, Hungary's stylish capital is known as the 'City of Spas' for its abundance of natural thermal springs.

Straddling the Danube River, the city is comprised of two very different historic cities, Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east bank. Highlights here include Castle Hill, Matthius Church, Fisherman's Bastion, the Liberation Monument, the fabulous St Stephen's Basilica and the much photographed Parliament Building.

Sample some Hungarian cuisine in a local restaurant. Goulash is the most popular Hungarian meat dish. It is a delicious stew made from meat and vegetables with Hungarian paprika powder as the main spice.

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Flamenco or similar

Meals

2 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Day 25 to 25 - Eger

We take the train to Eger, located on the hills of the Bükk Mountains. It has a number of historic sights including the Castle of Eger, the town's oldest and most famous attraction. Eger is also famous for its wines. You can enjoy traditional varieties of red and white wines including “Egri Bikaver” translated to Bull's Blood of Eger! From 1596 Eger had a 91 year long Turkish rule. Due to this, the town attract visitors to its number of thermal baths. Another popular site from this period is the Turkish minaret standing at 40 metres high. You can climb this for great views.

Optional Excursions

Accommodation

1 night(s) in a guesthouse at Bacchus Panzio or similar

Meals

1 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Day 26 to 26 - Baia Mare

The day is spent exploring the fascinating Maramures region in North-western Romania, home to many villages where century-old traditions are still part of daily life. We will visit the village of Barsana, where there is a thriving local tradition of woodcarving, with picturesque wooden houses fronted by giant, ornately-carved gates. There is also a monastery that offers great views over the Izei valley, where people still farm using traditional techniques. We also tour some of the beautiful wooden churches of the region that are well-known for their characteristic high roofs and tall, pointed steeples. We will make a quick stop at the very peculiar 'Merry Cemetery' of Sapânta, so called because the gravestones are painted in bright colours, hand-carved out of oak and adorned with an image of the deceased and a humorous epitaph in the local vernacular.

We then head to Baia Mare, one of the most important mining centres of Romania with over 2000 years of gold and silver mining. The town is well preserved and the oldest house here dates back to 1440.

Included Excursions

Tour of Maramures Region

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Pensiunea La Fontana or similar

Meals

1 Basic Breakfast(s)

Day 27 to 28 - Sighișoara

As we make our way to Sighisoara, we stop en-route for a few hours to explore the city of Cluj Napoca, Romania's second largest city after Bucharest. The city is one of the most important academic and cultural centres in Romania, and is home to the country's largest university and its famous botanical gardens. In 2015, Cluj-Napoca was named the European Youth Capital, and you can see the reflection of this in the bohemian cafes where many of the students and artists frequent.

In the afternoon we head to Sighisoara. Located in the historic region of Transylvania, it was once a Saxon settlement established in the 12th century. Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the citadel has a very well preserved old town with a clock tower rising 64 meters above the city. Also worth visiting is the Orthodox Cathedral and Cornesti Church.

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Casa Wagner or similar

Meals

2 Basic Breakfast(s)

Day 29 to 30 - Brașov

Surrounded on three sides by the Carpathian Mountains, Brașov was a perfect place for a medieval settlement and much of the Old City, founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211, has been restored. You can visit Râșnov Castle, the Brașov Citadel or wander up Rope Street, the narrowest street in Europe. Brașov also provides a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside of the Transylvania region, where the air is fresh and the people friendly. We visit the nearby Bran Castle which is marketed as 'Dracula's Castle' and is (supposedly) said to have been the home of Vlad the Impaler. We also explore the beautiful Pele's Castle and the fortified churches of Prejmer and Viscri, the latter of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Included Excursions

Entry to Viscri fortified Church,Entry to Dracula's Castle and Peles Castle,Entry to Prejmer Fortified Church

Optional Excursions

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Pensiune Ambient or similar

Meals

2 Basic Breakfast(s)

Day 31 to 31 - Bucharest

We continue our journey to Bucharest where you will have free time to explore the area and discover the contrasts of Romania's cultural capital. The architecture here is an eclectic mix of historical, communist period and modern styles and it even has its own Arc de Triomphe. Bucharest also boasts the world's second largest building, the Palace of Parliament, built under the communist regime.

If you'd like to learn more about the traditional way of life of Romanian peasant farmers you can visit the Village Museum, an open air museum with around 300 traditional buildings filled with furniture, pottery and clothing collected from different regions of the country.

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Capitol or similar

Meals

1 Basic Breakfast(s)

Day 32 to 32 - Veliko Tarnovo

We head across the border into the Bulgarian city of Veliko Tarnovo, famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Built on three hills, the city offers some great views of the surrounding churches and old imperial residences rising amidst the meanders of the Yantra River. On Tsarevets Hill are the palaces of the Bulgarian emperors and the Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Cathedral, and also a number of interesting cultural institutions such as the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of the Bulgarian Revival and the Constituent Assembly.

Optional Excursions

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Anhea or similar

Meals

1 Buffet Breakfast(s)

Day 33 to 34 - Sofia

Bulgaria's capital Sofia offers a wealth of cultural entertainment, including Byzantine churches, museums full of ancient archaeological treasures, towering monuments and numerous mineral baths adjacent to the magnificent Mount Vitosha. Laid back and cosmopolitan, Sofia offers a thriving and diverse street life, including open-air cafes, busy markets such as the famous Ladies' Market, rattling trams and buskers all adding to the ambience. At the foothills of Mount Vitosha about 8 kilometres from the city centre you can visit the 900 year-old Boyana Church, considered among the masterpieces of medieval European painting, which features murals and frescoes dating back to 1259 AD, medieval architecture and monumental art. Also at the base of Mt. Vitosha is the splendid National History Museum, with antiques dating back to the Thracian period.

Sofia also offers many beautiful gardens to relax in, such as Boris Gardens and the South Park, which starts just behind the Palace of Culture.

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at St George Hotel or similar

Meals

1 Basic Breakfast(s), 1 Breakfast Box

Day 35 to 36 - Plovdiv

Enjoy breakfast in Sofia before taking a public bus to Plovdiv. Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is the oldest continually inhabited city in Europe going back 8000 years. The town is small and easy to walk around. Places to see include the Roman Amphitheatre, St Marina church and a mosque leftover from the Ottoman Empire. Each step you take in this town opens up another piece of history. While the seven tall hill that used to overlook the town have been reduced to just three, it is possible to walk the hills and the best time to do this is at sunset.

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Star Hotel or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast Box

Day 37 to 37 - Istanbul or Sofia

Istanbul is an enchanting fusion of East and West. Narrow alleys are flanked by wooden Ottoman houses while a nearby funky restaurant and bar strip in the down-town area pumps out Turkish pop. There are many great places to explore including, but not limited to, the Blue Mosque, St Sophia and the Grand Bazaar. The Blue Mosque, also known as the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, is nearly 400 years old and still an active mosque that non-Muslims can visit for free outside of the five daily prayers. St Sophia (Hagia Sophia) was built 1,500 years ago and was the largest enclosed space in the world. The Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) is the oldest and largest closed bazaar in the world, housing around 3000 shops within 61 alleyways. It used to be the city's main trading centre of ceramics, jewellery and leather goods.

We will arrive in the evening to sample some of Turkey's most delicious cuisine. As we arrive late we recommend you book additional nights accommodation in order to fully explore the city and any of the optional excursions listed below.

Please note: For those who do not wish to travel into Turkey, there is the option to end in Sofia, Bulgaria instead. From Plovdiv you will return to Sofia by bus where there will be one night's accommodation instead. This option must be pre-booked with your Adventure Specialist in advance. This makes no difference to the cost of your tour.

Other

What's Not Included

International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes

Tips on included excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items and single rooms.

Optional excursions - On each trip, you may find there are some excursions that are not included. This might be because they are not to everyone's taste or there may be various options of differing value to choose from. More information on the excursions we recommend is listed under each day of your itinerary though prices may vary. If you are after something in particular, don't hesitate to ask your tour leader.